TONY CASCARINO: PL Week 15 Preview

PICKING THE GOOD PRICES This was a tough week for picking tips, largely due to some very short odds games throughout the Premier League. There is one obvious game to go for, outside of this many of the games may shape up to be very one sided affairs on paper at least. I have gone through the prices and picked out the best prices available for this weekend’s games.

Leicester v Man City

5.30pm Saturday This game promises to be entertaining and I think we should see plenty of goals. You can definitely expect City to grab a couple against this Leicester defence. They really aren’t close to the same side they were last season. I think it is what many people expected, but probably not to this extent. Their defence, which was their strong point last year is vulnerable this time around. Morgan who was immense all last year, playing every minute of the season now looks slow and worn out, players can really get at him and you can expect Man City to target him as much as they can.

Man City have looked vulnerable at the back, especially around pacey forwards. They really lack speed in their centre back partnerships. Otamendi is very slow, Stones isn’t hugely quick and even if Kolarov makes the move inwards he doesn’t have anything close the the speed of any striker Leicester. Vardy is as quick as they come, you’d expect him to start, and you’d expect him to be able to create a few chances against this shaky defence. Leicester did well against City last season, look for them to try and approach the game in a similar manner, but it will be very tough for them to get something out of it unless they shore up at the back themselves. Pace on the counter and lump forward for set pieces could be their best bet.

There is only one way I am going with this prediction. Looking at the form of both teams this season you can’t reasonably go for Leicester to pick up a result here, even if it is at home. There is goals in this City team, even without Aguero in the side. I think it could be a high scoring affair, but there is only one winner in my eyes.

Chelsea v West Brom

12.00pm Sunday Chelsea have been brilliant in the last couple of months of the Premier League. Since their loss to Arsenal their season has taken a complete turn for the good. Of course having no European football has been a big benefit for them in racking up 9 wins from their last 10 games. No team has seen form even close to that, but from the rest of the teams West Brom actually have been one of the teams in the best form. They are now sitting in 6th place in the league which is brilliant considering their expectations at the beginning of the year.

The Chelsea back three has been brilliant, but I’m still convinced there is an approach that can really open up their system. If there is one team that could do it, it would be Tony Pulis’ West Brom side. They have a great blend of size and speed in their team, and Pulis is not afraid to set them up to really frustrate Chelsea and then catch them out on the other side. He is a stubborn enough manager to pull something out here. They have a huge defence and plenty of quality elsewhere, and as I said last week, they have a game changer in Rondon.

Am I confident that West Brom will go to Stamford Bridge and pick up a win against the most in form side in the league? No. But I am confident that they will put up a really strong battle against them. They are never an easy side to break down and they will make it extremely difficult for Chelsea. So although I think Chelsea will have enough to get a result, I expect it to be by the bare minimum.

Man United v Spurs

2.15pm Sunday This is the one game where there is excellent value available. Many of the weekend’s fixtures have very shorts odds favourites, but in a game of this magnitude you really do expect better pricing. I fancy United in this one at home. They will be eager to grab a home win after four consecutive draws at Old Trafford, and looking at the recent history between these two sides we can see that the home team has won 8 our of the last 10 games. I really fancy that trend to continue this Sunday afternoon.

Man United’s performances have been better than their results this season, particularly in the last few weeks. They should be a few points better than they are in the League for sure, but they have struggled to see games out. However looking at recent performances I think they will have turned the corner and I see them winning a lot more games going forward. Spurs on the other hand are barely staying in the title hunt, they are struggling at the back without their main men. To be fair Vertonghen and Alderweireld are the best defensive partnership in the league so anybody would struggle if they are not available. Dier is stepping in at the moment but they really need him in front of the back four. When he is in there they can really be got at.

United have plenty of pace about their side, especially off the bench with Rashford and Martial who is beginning to find some form. I think between this and the pressure at Zlatan will put them under these Spurs defenders could be in for a pretty long afternoon. Spurs will look to counter with Son in particular and this is one of their strengths but I still think it won’t be enough to get a win at Old Trafford. I have to go for the home side here at a decent price.